Roster Math: Roy Halladay Returns, Who Goes?

Just over a week ago, we took a look at the moving pieces of the Phillies roster and assessed who would stay and who would go when the Big Piece returned. With Raul Valdes suffering a right-hip strain and placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to July 9, the person headed back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley may not be much of a surprise.

He Survived Howard, He Will Survive Halladay

Jason Pridie – Pridie is one of just five left-handed hitters on the team and, when the team is facing a righty or a righty reliever, likely one of only two lefty bench options, the other being Juan Pierre. Pridie has had only 7 PA appearances for the Phils but serves as an OK left-handed hitter off of the bench. Pridie will survive Roy Halladay‘s return but will likely be the odd man out when Laynce Nix returns barring a trade of either Shane Victorino or Pierre.

9.95 ERA and 4 HR in 6.1 IP – But He’s Probably Staying

Brian Sanches– Sanches likely dodged a bullet with Valdes’ hip-flexor strain. Sanches is sporting a 9.95 ERA and has given up 4 HR in 6.1 IP but will likely be safe due to the call-up of Sanches’ replace who gives them four lefties out of the ‘pen.

Fourth Lefty is Likely Gone

Joe Savery – Savery’s time on the Phils is likely short-lived. Quietly recalled on Friday, Savery is the fourth lefty option out of the ‘pen behind Antonio Bastardo, Jake Diekman, and Jeremy Horst. There exists a possible scenario where Horst is the odd man out to get him more innings, but his early successes make him more valuable than Savery, who was recently seen taking grounders at first, as a just-in-case option.

I’d rather Sanches goes, and by “goes” I hope he’s released. I wouldn’t care if Sanches threw with both hands and therefore could face both righties and lefties; he’d still be worse than useless. A 9.95 ERA with that home run rate could be bested by a ball girl, a pet dog, or a corpse.